HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-11-2000Special Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes
Auburn City Hall Council Chambers
Wednesday, October 11, 2000
In Attendance
City of Auburn Staff/Consultants:
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Mayor Chuck Booth, Public Works Committee
ChaidCouncilmember Rich Wagner, Public Works Committee/Oouncilmember Fred Poe, Public
Works Committee/Councilmember Pete Lewis, Public Works Director Christine Engler, City
Engineer Dennis Dowdy, Public Works Secretary Lorna Dahlke, Water Utility Engineer Tim
Osborne, Water Rights Attorney Tom Mortimer.
Water District No. 111: Larry Bradbury, Charley Wilson, Greg Hill, Dutch Randall, Attorney Mike
Ruark.
Covington Water District: No representative in attendance.
The meeting was called to order by Councilman Rich Wagner at 5:10 p.m. He stated the
meeting was called to update IA2 (Interlocal Agreement #2) Partners regarding the status of the
City of Auburn's water rights positions, application for additional water rights, and Puget Sound
Energy's Lake Tapps project.
Update - Current state of regulatory environment
Tom Mortimer reviewed the City of Auburn's application status for additional water rights. He
stated that when the city began the study of the aquifer, it was believed that the aquifer was self
contained and not in continuity.with the Green and White Rivers, and confined and sealed with
layers above and around it. One of the findings of the five year study, is that the aquifer is
hydraulically connected to the Green and White Rivers and there is exchange of water. The
White River discharges into the QRVD aquifer which then discharges water to the Green River
system.
The Department of Ecology has stated that new water rights applications will be reviewed based
on no impairment to water flows and species. Tom Mortimer stated that the Department of
Ecology uses the one molecule rule.
Update - Puget Sound Energy Lake Tapps' Project
Puget Sound Energy is concerned that imposition of NMFS-FERC flows will affect the ability of
the White River hydro project to provide cost effective power. There are indications that NMFS
may seek to impose new minimum flows ranging from 350 to 500 cfs. New rights according to
Ecology would need to demonstrate no effect to such flows.
Tom Mortimer stated that he is advising the City of Auburn on strategies that can mitigate the
proposed withdrawals on the surface water system.
IA2 Partners Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, October 11, 2000
Pg. 2
Puget Sound Energy's proposal that local agencies purchase mitigation flows from the Lake
Tapps' project was discussed. Tom Mortimer stated that in his August 2000 letter to PSE, he
requested that PSE provide amounts of water and cost forecasts. PSE responded they are
willing to discuss the issue, but have not been available for follow up.
Also discussed was the issue of any seasonal relief to the one molecule rule; under what flow
conditions, what seasonal conditions could the city withdraw water. Tom Mortimer stated to the
extent that it can be demonstrated that groundwater withdrawal would not effect minimum flows
in the White and Green Rivers.
Tom addressed another issue that Ecology may consider which is if a basin or sub-basin is
closed, that withdrawals are automatically precluded. Since the White River has been closed
this becomes a potential issue for Auburn's water rights application. Tom Mortimer stated that
in a closed basin, withdrawals should be allowed provided there is no effect to surface water
flows that are regulated.
Tom Mortimer stated the Puget Sound Energy Lake Tapps project could cost approximately $50
to $100 million. He said PSE indicated the equity partners would be asked to commit funding
for the project pending construction, which could require up to $3 to $5 million per year in order
to offset loss of profit to PSE. Tom stated that no water system has committed to this
proposition yet.
It was discussed that Pacific Groundwater Group could determine generally how much water
can be withdrawn beyond the existing withdrawals before there would be a need to cut back and
reduce quantities. This would be a separate task, which needs additional modeling and
analysis, should the City desire this work accomplished. Another option would be coordinated
storage projects, using conjoining winter supply.
Christine Engler stated at this point, the city has not tasked PGG to conduct modeling regarding
the effects of the city's water rights on the two rivers and Mill Creek during different times of
year.
Tom Mortimer stated that the groundwater characterization that has been done for the city, is
sophisticated and precise. The fact that the Department of Ecology and the Muckleshoot Indian
Tribe have been consulted and provided with documents during the process was discussed.
The effects of the Lake Tapps project on the city's aquifer was discussed. Tom Mortimer stated
that if Lake Tapps was returned to an original state, it would consist of five or six lakes and
would provide a large recharge area.
Tom Mortimer stated that the city is proceeding with scheduling a meeting with Puget Sound
Energy. Tom stated he wrote a letter to the Department of Ecology stating there has been a
long standing relationship between the Department and the City, and the City's application for
additional water rights should not be damaged. He stated he will resubmit a letter saying the
same thing. The Department of Ecology has indicated two to three times it wants to meet with
the City, but the meetings have not occurred.
IA2 Partners Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, October 11,2000
Pg 3
Christine Engler stated the city budget recommends funding further modeling in 2001 with the
completion of the technical study expected by the end of 2001. It was discussed that the
findings could reflect there would be no significant impacts to the Rivers due to the city's
additional water rights, and that any impacts could be mitigated reasonably.
Tom Mortimer stated another option would be to produce a scientific expanded checklist under
SEPA. It was discussed that the scientific study is the foundation to preparing a resource
management plan for SEPA and an expanded checklist. It would also provide an existing
baseline of existing withdrawals and proposed additional withdrawals. Depending on
circumstances, the city may prepare an MDNS or an ElS to support the city's water rights
application.
Tom also discussed the need for the water utilities to be prepared to demonstrate an investment
in conservation efforts as part of the application process.
IA2 agreement partners were encouraged to contact Tom Mortimer for updates on the
application process, plan development, and modeling, or to request a meeting to be scheduled.
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
/LD